Tuesday, August 31, 2010 — Foreign exchange students are arriving with the beginning of another school year. The exchange program provides an opportunity for them to learn more about America while in turn giving local students a glimpse into another culture. At times long lasting friendships are formed.

Magdalena Bäumler stayed with her host family in Albemarle for a year and was enrolled at Albemarle High School as an exchange student. She is originally from the Bavarian town of Wernberg, Germany.

When Bäumler extended an invitation to her classmates at Albemarle High to visit her in her homeland, fellow classmate Andrew Allen jumped at the opportunity.

Allen, now a junior at Albemarle, had become good friends with Bäumler during her year-long stay in Stanly County.

It was a time of many firsts for Allen — his first time in another country, his first international trip and his first time traveling without his parents, Ray and Dawn Allen.

Allen was excited to immerse himself in the culture and traditions of another country.

“The idea of being in a new country is exciting,” Allen said in an interview before his trip.

Allen left Charlotte the afternoon of July 19 for a two-week stay in Germany. After arriving in Frankfurt, Germany at 7:20 a.m. local time, they caught a connecting flight to Munich, Germany, where they were picked up by Bäumler’s family.

Immediately upon arriving in Germany, Allen noticed some differences. Recycling bins were commonplace in public areas and private homes. He also said that the trains and even the air seemed to be much cleaner.

Homes were painted in a variety of colors and many of them had solar panels on the roofs for energy efficiency. In addition to recycling bins, many homes also had compost piles.

Experiencing new cuisine was one of the things Allen was excited to try.

On his first day in Germany, he sampled gelato, an Italian ice cream, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Allen, a self-proclaimed “meat and potatoes” person, enjoyed the freshness of the meats at the deli which are often prepared without preservatives.

He enjoyed the meats so much he would often buy items at the deli without knowing what they were.

“The meat was always good. I didn’t care what it was. It was all good,” Allen said.

Among his favorite dishes were weisswurst “white sausage,” a traditional Bavarian sausage made with finely minced veal and pork, and schnitzel, a breaded veal or pork chop. Allen also enjoyed the sweet mustard which accompanies many of the dishes.

He noticed some differences in eating habits during his stay. A German breakfast, for example, usually consists of a roll or bread, with deli meat, and spread with cream cheese or butter. Germans also eat a heartier lunch which is followed by a light dinner. Snacks throughout the day are uncommon, something Allen was not fond of.

“I kept snacks in my bedroom,” Allen said.

Allen also missed the flavor of soft drinks in the United States. In Germany a cola mix is popular. Bäumler had become a fan of grape soda during her stay in the United States and was disappointed when she couldn’t bring any with her on the flight home.

Allen traveled to many sites during his stay.

One stop was Monte Kaolino, located in Hirschau, Germany. Monte Kaolino is the site of Europe’s largest sand hill and is host to the Sandboarding World Championship. Comprised of quartz sand, the dune reaches a height of more than 300 feet and features the only sand lift in the world. There is also a large water park at the bottom of the hill.

Allen also visited the site of the Flossenbürg concentration camp. Built in May of 1938 by the Schutz-staffel (SS), the camp’s site was chosen due to its proximity to a granite quarry. It was the fourth concentration camp established in Germany. Many of the people sent to Flossenbürg were Soviet, Czech, Dutch and German political prisoners who were used as slave labor. Flossenbürg was liberated April 23, 1945, by the 2nd U.S. Cavalry. It is estimated that 73,000 people died in the camp.

Allen said visiting a concentration camp was one of the things he wanted to do.

“It was very moving,” he said of the experience.

Other stops in Germany included the ancient city of Regensburg, which was once a celtic settlement around 500 BC and a Roman legion’s camp in 197 AD, and a visit to a local outdoor festival, which are commonplace in small towns throughout the summer.

Allen also made a trip to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.

While in Prague, Allen, who is interested in art and architecture, enjoyed seeing the many old churches, including the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, St. George’s Basilica and St. Vitus Cathedral.

Allen noted the city had many bridges and artists. Although there were some problems understanding the tour guide, due to a heavy accent, Allen thoroughly enjoyed exploring the city.

Allen returned home Aug. 3. Although he would love to return to Germany sometime, for right now he intends to sit back with a favorite soft drink and recuperate from a long flight.